Abstract: A method of performing an oilfield treatment that includes delivering to an oilfield fluid a host-guest complex, wherein the host-guest complex is formed from a solution of host molecule mixed with a guest molecule having opposing solubility from the host molecule; wherein the host molecule is present in the solution in an amount of at least 2×10?6 M.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium compounds and compositions comprising the compounds are disclosed. The compositions are valuable as gas hydrate inhibitors in the oil and gas exploration, recovery and processing industries. The compounds and compositions may have improved biodegradability and reduced toxicity when compared with benchmark materials. Quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure have the formula (I) in which R is C1-4 alkyl, C6-10 aryl, or C1-4alkyl-C6-10aryl; R1 is hydrogen or a group of formula —C(?O)X; and R2 is hydrogen or a group of formula —C(?O)Y, provided that R1 and R2 are not both hydrogen; X and Y are each independently a hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkenyl group, and Z is a C4-24 alkyl or C4-24 alkenyl group; each D is independently C1-4 alkylene; and A? is an anion.

Abstract: A method of performing an oilfield treatment that includes delivering to an oilfield fluid a host-guest complex, wherein the host-guest complex is formed from a solution of host molecule mixed with a guest molecule having opposing solubility from the host molecule; wherein the host molecule is present in the solution in an amount of at least 2×10?6 M.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel demulsifiers for use in the demulsification of oils from water and vice versa, including the demulsification of crude oil from sea water or brine. In particular, the present invention relates to novel demulsifiers which are environmentally friendly, or ‘green’, and which can be used without restriction on-site in offshore oil drilling fields, for example in the North Sea. The novel demulsifiers are based on the reaction product of alkoxylated polyols or polyol esters with dicarboxylic acids.

Abstract: A composition may include a branched polymer to encapsulate a guest molecule to be released under oilfield conditions. The guest molecule may include a production chemical, such as a scale or corrosion inhibitor. The branched polymer may be substituted with fatty acids. The branched polymer may also function as both an ecapsulator as well as a production chemical in certain applications.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium compounds and compositions comprising the compounds are disclosed. The compositions are valuable as gas hydrate inhibitors in the oil and gas exploration, recovery and processing industries. The compounds and compositions may have improved biodegradability and reduced toxicity when compared with benchmark materials. Quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure have the formula (I) in which R is C1-4 alkyl, C6-10 aryl, or C1-4alkyl-C6-10aryl; R1 is hydrogen or a group of formula —C(=0)X; and R2 is hydrogen or a group of formula —C(=0)Y, provided that R1 and R2 are not both hydrogen; X and Y are each independently a hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkenyl group, and Z is a C4-24 alkyl or C4-24 alkenyl group; each D is independently C1-4 alkylene; and A? is an anion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrosion inhibitor for use in the oil and gas exploration, recovery and processing industries. In particular, the invention relates to a quaternary ammonium compound suitable for use as such a corrosion inhibitor, to the manufacture of the quaternary ammonium compound, to compositions containing it, and to methods of using it. Quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention have the formula (I) in which R is C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl; X, Y, and Z are each independently hydrogen, or R1CO—, provided that at least one of X, Y and Z is R1CO, where R1 is C5-23 alkyl or alkenyl containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; D is C2-6 alkylene; E is C2-4 alkylene; p, q and r are each, independently, integers from 0 to 20, with the proviso that p+q+r is from 3 to 20; and A? is an anion.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel demulsifiers for use in the demulsification of oils from water and vice versa, including the demulsification of crude oil from sea water or brine. In particular, the present invention relates to novel demulsifiers which are environmentally friendly, or ‘green’, and which can be used without restriction on-site in offshore oil drilling fields, for example in the North Sea. The novel demulsifiers are based on the reaction product of alkoxylated polyols or polyol esters with dicarboxylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrosion inhibitor for use in the oil and gas exploration, recovery and processing industries. In particular, the invention relates to a quaternary ammonium compound suitable for use as such a corrosion inhibitor, to the manufacture of the quaternary ammonium compound, to compositions containing it, and to methods of using it. Quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention have the formula (I) in which R is C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl; X, Y, and Z are each independently hydrogen, or R1CO—, provided that at least one of X, Y and Z is R1CO, where R1 is C5-23 alkyl or alkenyl containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; D is C2-6 alkylene; E is C2-4 alkylene; p, q and r are each, independently, integers from 0 to 20, with the proviso that p+q+r is from 3 to 20; and A? is an anion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a racquet that is provided for use in games in which it is used for striking a ball that has a tail, the tail being in the form of a plurality of elongate streamer elements that are anchored to the ball. Such a ball generally has a mass less than 30 g and thus requires the racquet to have a mass less than 200 g. In order to avoid tangling of the tail of the ball with the racquet after the ball has been struck with the racquet, the frame of the racquet is provided with anti-tangle formations that effectively space the exposed part of the strings of the racquet from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame by between 20 and 30 mm.

Abstract: Petroleum additive formulations include a petroleum additive dissolved in a carrier fluid including at least one compound of the formula (I): (R2)p-Ph-(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 where; R1 is C1 to C10 alkyl; AO is alkyleneoxy; n is 0 or from 1 to 100; m is 0, 1 or 2; and Ph is a phenyl group, which may be substituted with groups (R2)p; where each R2 is independently C1 to C4 alkyl or alkoxy; and p is 0, 1 or 2. Further, crude petroleum or petroleum refinery streams can be treated by adding a petroleum additive dissolved in a carrier fluid of the formula (I) to the product stream. Desirably the carrier fluid is or includes iso-propyl benzoate and/or 2-ethyl hexyl benzoate.

Abstract: Drilling, completing or workover of a well, particularly an oil and/or gas well, is carried out using a fluid which includes a continuous phase including an ester of the formula (I): (R2)p-Ph-(CH2)m—COO-(AO)n-R1 where R1, AO, n, m, Ph, R2 and p have defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities, and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in drilling, completion and/or workover of wells.

Abstract: A well drilling method comprises removing the drilling cuttings using an aqueous drilling fluid such as a foam including a foaming agent which includes at least one mono-(aliphatic hydrocarbyl) phosphate ester. More specifically, the drilling fluid takes the form of a potassium and/or alkanolamine and/or alkylalkanolamine salt, the foam also comprising a foam stabiliser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a well drilling method consisting in removing the drilling cuttings using an aqueous drilling fluid such as a foam including a foaming agent which is, or includes, at least one mono-(aliphatic hydrocarbyl) phosphate ester. More specifically, the drilling fluid takes the form of a potassium and/or alkanolamine and/or alkylalkanolamine salt, said foam also comprising a foam stabiliser.

Abstract: Stimulation, particularly fracturing or acidising, of hydrocarbon wells having bores leading to hydrocarbon bearing uses a fluid including a continuous phase of or including a compound of the formula (1): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 where R1, AO, n, m, Ph, R2 and p having defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities, and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in well stimulation.

Abstract: Drilling, completing or workover of a well, particularly an oil and/or gas well, is carried out using a fluid which includes a continuous phase including an ester of the formula (I): (R2)p-Ph-(CH2)m—COO-(AO)n—R1 where R1, AO, n, m, Ph, R2 and p have defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities, and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in drilling, completion and/or workover of wells.

Abstract: The deposition of asphaltenes and/or petroleum waxes can be inhibited and/or asphaltenes and/or petroleum waxes can be removed from a well, pipe or vessel by contacting the asphaltene and/or petroleum wax or the well pipe or vessel adjacent a location where deposition of asphaltene and/or petroleum wax is expected, with a solvent including at least one compound of the formula (I): R1—(AO)n—OOC—(CH2)m—Ph—(R2)p where R1 is a C1 to C20 hydrocarbyl group; AO is an alkyleneoxy group and may vary along the (poly)alkyleneoxy chain; n is 1 or from 1 to 100; m is 0, 1 or 2; and Ph is a phenyl group, which may be substituted with groups (R2)p where each R2 is independently a C1 to C4 alkyl or alkoxy group; and p is 0, 1 or 2, and subsequently removing the solvent with softened, dissolved or dipersed asphaltenes and/or petroleum waxes from the well, pipe or vessel.

Abstract: Stimulation, particularly fracturing or acidising, of hydrocarbon wells having bores leading to hydrocarbon bearing uses a fluid including a continuous phase of or including a compound of the formula (I): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 where R1, AO, n, m, Ph, R2 and p have defined meanings and particularly where the esters are alkyl or alkenyl benzoate esters. These esters are beneficial by having a range of viscosities, especially extending to low viscosities. and attractive toxicological and environmental profiles for use in well stimulation.

Abstract: Petroleum additive formulations include a petroleum additive dissolved in a carrier fluid including at least one compound of the formula (I): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 where; R1 is C1 to C10 alkyl; AO is alkyleneoxy; n is 0 or from 1 to 100; m is 0, 1 or 2; and Ph is a phenyl group, which may be substituted with groups (R2)p; where each R2 is independently C1 to C4 alkyl or alkoxy; and p is 0, 1 or 2. Further, crude petroleum or petroleum refinery streams can be treated by adding a petroleum additive dissolved in a carrier fluid of the formula (I) to the product stream. Desirably the carrier fluid is or includes iso-propyl benzoate and/or 2-ethyl hexyl benzoate.